Mike Posted September 2, 2014 Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 Thinking having returned this week from Brittany on the Eurotunnel that I may return with the wife and kids in the Vitesse for a long weekend. As we live in Malvern Portsmouth - Le Harvre/ Dieppe would save the Triumph a few hundred miles each way and we could wake up en Francais full of beans and ready to go. Anyone done this route? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordski Posted September 2, 2014 Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 Hi Mike, I've not done the journey in my Vitesse, but have from Worcester for holidays in the modern (Alfa 156) to France. Pretty swift to Portsmouth on A417/419/A34 etc. 2 hours tops and Pompey is a bit more interesting than Dover if you set off a bit earlier. Good crossing to Le Harvre, worth getting a cabin though if overnight, then a nice drive via RN to Brittany. I think there is a speed crossing that cuts the time from about 6 to 4 hours if I recall. Cuts out a 4 hour slog down to Dover and overnight stop en Francais. Cheers, Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mishmosh Posted September 2, 2014 Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 We usually do the plymouth roscoff. Same principle! Highly recommended. Top tip if doing a day crossing pay the £20 or so for a day cabin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted September 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 Cheers guys, just done Erquy to Calais then tunnel and home to Malvern. 6 hours plus in France then another 3 this side. In the Modern B Class Sport it was no drama and love the tunnel but the Vitesse would love me more/ as I'm sure would the kids with the shorter route. I would definitely do the cabin as I think as I get older I can do without the drama of "cattle class" on the decks fighting for somewhere to sit. I like the idea of poking round Portsmouth also as when I was a kid my moms uncle had a boat at Victory docks and we used to sail around Brittania. The overall drive would be much more pleasant too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordski Posted September 2, 2014 Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 Yes HM Dockyard always worth a visit, Victory etc. then the 'sail' with wonderful views over Hants, IoW, and Solent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted September 3, 2014 Report Share Posted September 3, 2014 We always used to take the kids (in a modern) via Portsmouth, to either St.Malo or Caen. St.Malo is a wonderful, almost fairy town on its headland, with medieval streets, full today of tatt, but the ramparts offer great views. Caen, of course is on the D-Day landing coast, with Pegasus Bridge just up the canal. Essential visit for today's unknowing children, like the Northern France graveyards. So worth getting there early on your return trip! Both overnight sailings get you into France about 0700, but don't get confused by the time zone change in Channel crossing. I once had an altercation with a steward, who knocked on our cabin door at 0500, I thought, to tell us we were coming into port, when I had set my watch the wrong way! JOhn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mishmosh Posted September 3, 2014 Report Share Posted September 3, 2014 try the Weymouth ( and Soton?) fast ferry into St Malo too. BUT watch the booking. We once had a three hour stopover in Guernsey which although pleasant was a pain! The return ferry was good and fast but landed around Midnight in Soton IIRC. which was a bit late for the 4 hr drive back to shropshire. We once opted to get breakfast in a nice little cafe in france rather than on the ferry. Two hours later we were waiting outside E LeClerc waiting for them to open as we had failed to find a cafe and were bloomin starving! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted September 3, 2014 Report Share Posted September 3, 2014 Hello Mike We have used this crossing twice for going to Classic Le Mans and it is ok, I think it is more of a truck ferry a cabin is worth it and will sleep 4 with toilet and shower and towels etc. We live Midlands (Clent) so much nicer than the slog to dover Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted September 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2014 Thanks for all the tips folks. Still full of the post holiday bliss and your memories make me want to get in the car and head off tonight, We were in Honfleur for a night and I want to get the Vitesse out there and get some great photos and just enjoy the " burble" as we explore the towns, villages and food. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJM Stag Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 Living on the Isle of Sheppey the slog to Dover takes about 45 minutes so no contest, either the chunnel or Dover ofr us Kentish types. I used to live in Pompey and the kids still do so either crossing would suit me. Sorry just trying to get my number of posts into double figures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 A bit moot, as I saw on th enews the other day that portsmouth-le havre was going to close as it is lossmaking..... A real shame. I suspect next CLM will be newhaven-dieppe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now